Death of Mary Green (Mrs. W. B. Charlton)
I was fortunate this week to put my hands on a copy of an obituary from The Durham Chronicle dated June 11, 1920 for my Great Grandmother, Mary Charlton. This provides the first and only account we have of her. The account below indicates she was severely afflicted by rheumatism and was confined to her home except for the use of a bath chair.
An article in the New York Times may have caught the moment referred to below of her encounter with Queen Mary. The only reason I think the article may refer to another lady in a bath chair is that John Wilson, MP would have known Mary Charlton personally and more likely would have introduced her to the Queen by name. Likely, the encounter with the Queen took place beyond the gaze of the press that same day. W. B. Charlton was intimately involved in the establishment of the Aged Miners Homes and would have no doubt been part of the receiving line that welcomed Queen Mary to the homes at Ushaw Moor and Shincliffe.
Durham Chronicle - June 11, 1920
Death of Mrs. W. B. Charlton
It is with sincere regret that we have to record the death, which took place at her residence, 26 Western Hill, Durham on Thursday evening of Mrs Charlton, wife of Mr W. B. Charlton, secretary of the Durham County Colliery Enginemen, Boiler Maker’s and Firemen’s Association. During the 14 years she lived in this city, Mrs Charlton was affected with rheumatism, and was not outside her house except in a bath chair. Despite that physical handicap, Mrs. Charlton continued to get a good deal of sunshine out of life. She was cheerfulness personified, and not even her most intimate friends ever heard her complain of her affliction. And it was that quality which gained the admiration of her friends. To some it might appear that death came as a happy relief from her sufferings, but those who had the privilege of her acquaintance know that she never spent an idle moment. She was a clever needlewoman and though her infirmity prevented her from carrying out houshold duties, yet her advice was invaluable and to her family she was a devoted mother. About a fortnight ago Mrs Charlton caught a chill and after a week’s illness she passed away.
Mr and Mrs Charlton were married at Brancepeth and there is one son, the Rev. Robert Charlton, recently appointed to the pastorate of Tyne Dock Congregational Church, and two daughters, Mrs M. Waller and Miss Isabell Charlton. The late Mrs Charlton often recalled with pleasure the visit of Queen Mary to the aged miners’ homes in 1914, when she was presented in her bath chair to her Majesty. She also prized the gifts from the Colliery Enginemen’s Association and the National Federation. The deceased lady was 64 years of age.
The Funeral
Rev. R. P. Lowe’s Eloquent Tribute
An eloquent tribute to the respect in which the late Mrs Charlton was held was evidenced at the funeral which took place on Monday afternoon. Members of the Executive Committee of the Durham Colliery Enginemen’s Association, members of local branches, citizens, and friends in town and country assembled to pay a last tribute of repect, the procession of mouners being a lengthy one.
The first part of the service was held in Bethel Church and was conducted by Rev. R. P. Lowe, superintendent of the Elswick Road circuit, Newcastle, for whom Mrs Charlton had great admiration. In a simple, yet beautiful address, Mr Lowe said for many years suffering was Mrs Charlton’s daily companion and those of them who knew her would always remember with gratitude how bravely she carried her load. Her suffering did not cause her to grow self-absorbed. Her Her physical handicap meant that her great work had to be done in the home. It was splendidly done there. Some of those industrial associations and organisations where W. B. Charlton had often to speak had hardly realized to what extent they were indebted to the sane judgement of his wife. She had left her a radiant memory that her children would cherish.
The hymns sung wer “For all the Saints” and Jesus, Lover of my Soul” a favourite with the deceased lady. Miss Gertrude Lister played “O Rest in the Lord” the Dead March in “Soul,” and Mendelssohn’s Funeral March.
The internment took place at St. Cuthbert’s Churchyard in an ivy-lined grave adjoining that of her daughter-in-law, who died 12 weeks ago.
The chief mourners were: Mr W. B. Charlton (husband), Rev. R. Charlton (son), Mrs M. Waller and Miss Charlton (daughters). Captain M Waller (son-in-law), Mrs Grant and Mrs Brown (sisters).
Amongst those present were: Messrs R. Dobson (president) and J. Harle (Spennymoor), E. Nicholson (Leadgate), W. Robinson (Eldon), members of the Executive Committee of the Durham Colliery Enginemen’s Association and Mr D. Ireland (Shildon)(trustee), Mr J. Humphrey (secretary of the Northumberland Enginemen’s Association), Mr Westgarth (ex-president of the Durham Colliery Association), W. Ford (Gateshead), A. E. Watson (Spen), W. S. Hall (representing the Mechanics Association), T. S. Neville (representing the Niners’ Federation), Ald. R. T. Herring, Mr T F Brass (Sacriston), Ald. H. E. Ferens, Deputy Chief Constable J. Waller, Mr J. Harland, Mr E. H. Veitch, Capt Jos. and Miss Tindle, Mr and Mrs A Welch, Mrs
….article is cut off and then continues…
…bore on the breastplate the inscription:
Mary Charlton
Born 11th August 1855
Died June 1920
The cards attached to the wreaths read: “In loving memory of a sainted wife and mother,” from husband and daughter Isabell; “In loving memory and grandmother,” from Daddy, Billy, and Bert. “In loving memory of a sweet and noble mother.” from Amelia and Matthew–”And all her ways were happy ways and all her paths were peace;” “In loving memory, ” from sister Maggie, Mary, Steve and family; “With deepest sympathy,” from Mr and Mrs J. Waller and family; “With deepest sympathy,” from Mr and Mrs Jack Waller (Ryton); “In loving memory,” from Mrs. G. Peart; “In very affectionate remembrance and with heartfelt sympathy,” from Mr and Mrs Arthur Welch; “With deepest sympathy” from the Executive Committee of the Durham Enginemen’s Association; “With deepest symapthy,” from Mr and Mrs Geo. Bailes and family; “With deepest sympathy,” from Mrs Hudspith and family; “With Mr and Mrs Lynch’s deepest sympathy.”
M. Pattison and Co. had charge of the funeral arrangements.
Magistrates’ Sympathy
At the Durham City Police Court, on Monday, the Mayor (Conn. Wood) who was accompanied by Ald. Herring made a sympathetic reference to the death of Mrs Charlton. Their sympathy, he said, went out to Mr. Charlton, a regular attender at that Court and a very painstaking magistrate who had had the misfortune — the greates misfortune that could fall upon and man — to lose his wife. He had not personal acquaintance of her, but from what he had been told hebelieved Mrs Charlton was a lady who had the respect and admiration of all who knew her. He therefore would as the Clerk to convey to Mr Charlton and family their sincere sympathy with them in the great loss they had sustained — Ald. H. E. Ferens on behalf of the solicitors joined in the expression of sympathy. He had the pleasure of knowing Mrs Charlton and was quite sure a happier married life did not exist than their’s and the loss which Mr Charlton had sustained must therefore be a very serious one. — Head Constable Dunn expressed the sympathy of the police and the Magistrate’s Clerk (Mr J. Mawson) promised to forward a letter of sympathy.
Source: Durham Clayport Reference and Local Studies Dept
Transcription: John Charlton